Systems and methods for using a graphical user interface to generate time entries

Abstract

Systems and methods of using a graphical user interface to generate time entries are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a method of using a graphical user interface to generate time entries for billing reports includes displaying a graphical user interface including a running timer icon, enabling a user of the graphical user interface to select the running timer icon to record an amount of time performing a task, creating a usable time icon on the graphical user interface which includes the recorded amount of time from the running timer, enabling selection of the usable time icon by the user to convert the usable time icon into a time entry with details regarding at least one of a client or a matter, and generating an invoice including the time entry.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of using a graphical user interface to generate time entries for billing reports, the method comprising:
 displaying a graphical user interface including a running timer icon;   enabling a user of the graphical user interface to select the running timer icon to record an amount of time performing a task;   creating a usable time icon on the graphical user interface which includes the recorded amount of time from the running timer;   enabling selection of the usable time icon by the user to convert the usable time icon into a time entry with details regarding at least one of a client or a matter; and   generating a billing report including the time entry.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising
 triggering creation of the usable time icon on the graphical user interface upon the user stopping the running timer icon on the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising
 enabling the user to input at least one of the client or the matter upon selection of the useable time icon.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 creating the usable time icon on the graphical user interface includes automatically including a date of the recorded amount of time with the usable time icon.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 creating the usable time icon on the graphical user interface includes automatically including a GPS location of the user with the usable time icon.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising
 enabling the user to also record the amount of time from a first user terminal separate from a second user terminal configured to display the graphical user interface,   creating the usable time icon on the graphical user interface using the amount of time recorded by the first user terminal, and   enabling selection of the usable time icon on the second user terminal by the user to convert the usable time icon into the time entry.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein
 the first user terminal is a smart watch worn by the user.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising
 enabling the user to input enter a narrative code upon selection of the usable time icon, and   when converting the usable time icon into the time entry, populating the time entry with a narrative corresponding to the narrative code.   
     
     
         9 . A method of using a graphical user interface to generate time entries for billing reports, the method comprising:
 displaying a graphical user interface including a running timer icon;   enabling a user of the graphical user interface to link the running timer icon with a client or a matter;   enabling the user of the graphical user interface to select the running timer to record an amount of time performing a task;   creating a usable time icon on the graphical user interface which includes the recorded amount of time from the running timer and is associated with the linked client or the matter;   enabling selection of the usable time icon by the user to convert the usable time icon into a time entry; and   generating a billing report including the time entry.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising
 triggering creation of the usable time icon on the graphical user interface upon the user stopping the running time icon on the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising
 enabling the user to input enter a narrative code upon selection of the usable time icon, and   when converting the usable time icon into the time entry, populating the time entry with a narrative corresponding to the narrative code.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein
 creating the usable time icon on the graphical user interface includes automatically including a date of the recorded amount of time with the usable time icon.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising
 enabling the user to record the amount of time from a first user terminal separate from a second user terminal configured to display the graphical user interface,   creating the usable time icon on the graphical user interface using the amount of time recorded by the first user terminal, and   enabling selection of the usable time icon on the second user terminal by the user to convert the usable time icon into the time entry.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein
 the first user terminal is a smart watch worn by the user.   
     
     
         15 . A method of using a graphical user interface to generate time entries for billing reports, the method comprising:
 displaying a graphical user interface including a running timer feature;   enabling a user to use the graphical user interface to link an external program or website to the running timer feature;   recording an amount of time that the user uses the external program or website that has been linked to the running time feature;   creating a usable time icon on the graphical user interface which includes the recorded amount of time;   enabling selection of the usable time icon by the user to convert the usable time icon into a time entry with details regarding at least one of a client or a matter; and   generating a billing report including the time entry.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein
 recording the amount of time that the user uses the external program or website includes recording the amount of time that the external program or website is open on a computer desktop.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein
 recording the amount of time that the user uses the external program or website includes recording the amount of time from when the external program or website is opened until one or more predetermined conditions is reached.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein
 the one or more predetermined conditions includes at least one of: (i) that the external program or website is closed on the computer desktop; (ii) that the external program or website is minimized on the computer desktop; or (iii) that the computer desktop has been idle for a predetermined amount of time.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising
 enabling a user to use the graphical user interface to set an idle time variable, and   wherein recording the amount of time that the user uses the external program or website includes recording the amount of time from when the external program or website is opened until when the computer desktop has been idle for the idle time variable.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising
 merging a second amount of time the user subsequently uses the external program or website into the usable time icon when the second amount of time is recorded within predetermined time of the initial amount of time.